The Athlete Effect™

Bonnie Bernstein
  • 3.0 (2)
  • Sports
  • Weekly

Once an athlete, always an athlete! Did you know 94% of female C-suite executives played sports? The Athlete Effect™ explores how life skills mastered as an athlete can fuel success long after the final whistle (see: teamwork, discipline, resilience, confidence). Hosted by Emmy-winning sports journalist and former Division I gymnast Bonnie Bernstein, the show features athletes-turned-leaders across business, sports, media, medicine, entertainment, and tech. Guests include: WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert; Olympic gymnast and entrepreneur/investor Dominique Dawes;  ABC News Chief Meteorologist Ginger Zee; Olympic softball player and ESPN analyst Jess Mendoza; Access Hollywood host Kit Hoover;  State Farm CMO Kristyn Cook; Home Depot CMO Molly Battin; neurosurgeon pioneer Dr. Theresa Williamson; and Vernice “Fly Girl” Armour, the US Military's first Black female combat pilot. The Athlete Effect™ features full conversations from "Power Players" on The Champion’s Edge on ABC, as well as podcast exclusive guests. Download and follow The Athlete Effect™ for more. 

  1. 1d ago

    How high achievers weather personal and professional storms with Ginger Zee

    Ginger Zee, ABC News Chief Meteorologist, Good Morning America co-host, and New York Times bestselling author joins veteran sports journalist and host Bonnie Bernstein on The Athlete Effect™ to explore how her experience as a multisport athlete shaped her career in meteorology and broadcast journalism. She reflects on how sports built confidence, discipline, and mental toughness, and the parallel journey of earning credibility in both competitive cheerleading and science-based weather reporting. Ginger also opens up about her mental health journey, and how embracing vulnerability has become a strength. Running, which once supported her athletic training, is now a core part of her mental wellness routine. Show Notes:  Ginger Zee, The Athlete Effect™ , Bonnie Bernstein, The Champions Edge on ABC https://www.ginger-zee.com/bookshttps://www.instagram.com/explore/search/keyword/?q=%23gingerzeehttps://www.danharris.com/instagram.com/the_athlete_effect tiktok.com/@theathleteeffect www.youtube.com/@TheAthleteEffect  Bonnie Bernstein handles: twitter.com/BonnieBernsteininstagram.com/BonnieBernstein       https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-bernstein/The Champions Edge:  https://www.instagram.com/championsedgetvhttps://www.tiktok.com/@championsedgetvhttps://www.facebook.com/championsedgetv

  2. 1d ago

    She Replaced a UNC Legend at 22, Then Won the NCAA Championship: Erin Matson

    At 23, Erin Matson became the youngest Division I head coach to win an NCAA championship. Less than two months after graduating from the University of North Carolina, and after capturing four national titles as a Tar Heels player, Erin faced her next big test: taking the reins from Hall of Fame coach Karen Shelton. In this episode, Erin shares how the preparation and attention to detail she mastered on the field helped her earn one of the most prestigious jobs in college field hockey, and how she's evolved her communication style with players and assistants to build trust and keep her team aligned. Erin reflects on the pivotal role her family played in her development as an athlete, opens up about her Olympic aspirations, and shares her unique perspective on how student-athletes can approach NIL opportunities while intentionally building their personal brands. Whether you're a student-athlete, aspiring or current leader, parent, or coach, Erin's wisdom in this episode will resonate far beyond the game. Topics covered: Erin Matson, UNC field hockey, NCAA national championship, leadership, confidence, personal branding, NIL, coaching, young leaders, earning trust. Show notes and Socials:  UNC Field Hockey: https://www.instagram.com/uncfieldhockey/?hl=enhttps://www.tiktok.com/@carolinafieldhockeyhttps://goheels.com/sports/field-hockeyErin Matson:  https://www.instagram.com/erin_matson/https://www.tiktok.com/@erin_matsonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/erinsmatson/The Athlete Effect™: instagram.com/the_athlete_effect tiktok.com/@theathleteeffect www.youtube.com/@TheAthleteEffect  Bonnie Bernstein: instagram.com/BonnieBernstein  https://www.tiktok.com/discover/bonnie-bernstein     twitter.com/BonnieBernstein     https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-bernstein/

  3. Sep 30

    KC Chiefs CMO Lara Krug: Building a Bigger, Better (Marketing) Kingdom

    Imagine the pressure of bringing a Founding Father's dream to life. You've just stepped into Lara Krug's shoes. In 2021, the Kansas City Chiefs hired Lara as the club's first Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). The assignment? Build the Chiefs into a global brand. Not just a national powerhouse. GLOBAL. The mission was hatched by Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt, at a time when a sports team's idea of a marketing “win” was simply selling out the stadium. Lara's approach is rooted in a lesson she learned as an athlete: winning often entails thinking outside the box. Trying something new. That philosophy's guided her through senior marketing roles at Anheuser-Busch, L'Oréal, and now one of the NFL's most visible franchises. Lara dives into some of the Chiefs' most creative marketing campaigns, the Taylor Swift Effect, and the origin story behind bringing a Chiefs rom-com to the Hallmark Channel. She also opens up to Bonnie Bernstein about how playing sports in middle and high school helped give her the physical and mental strength to navigate a potentially debilitating health condition... and how personal loss in recent years prompted her to pay closer attention to her mental health. Topics Covered:  Sports Marketing, Sports Business, Branding, NFL, Kansas City Chiefs, Taylor Swift, Hallmark, Fan Engagement, Creative Marketing, Leadership, Athlete Mindset, Mental Health, Resilience, Grief/Loss LARA'S SOCIALS:  ► https://www.instagram.com/laraekrug ► https://www.linkedin.com/in/larackrug/ THE ATHLETE EFFECT™: ► Subscribe on YouTube:     / @theathleteeffect  ► Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033etu1... ► Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... ► Follow on Instagram:   / the_athlete_effect   BONNIE BERNSTEIN: ► Follow on Instagram:   / bonniebernstein  ► Follow on LinkedIn:   / bonnie-bernstein

    KC Chiefs CMO Lara Krug: Building a Bigger, Better (Marketing) Kingdom

  4. Sep 22

    Home Depot CMO Molly Battin: Multisport Athlete. Multiple C-Suite Roles

    Who knows more about using tools to achieve your goals than Home Depot's Chief Marketing Officer?  Yeah. That's a pretty short list.  Molly Battin's competitive mindset enabled her to juggle four sports in high school and balance crew with Ivy League academics at Princeton. That same grit shows up every day in a career that's taken her to C-suite roles at Turner, WarnerMedia, Delta Air Lines and now The Home Depot. She's navigated a major media merger and a global pandemic, all while raising three kids.  That signature orange work apron? It's a Superwoman cape in disguise.  Molly opens up about what it's like to manage the pressure of being a senior executive AND a working mom raising athletes, and how she used the communication skills she's honed throughout her career to navigate a difficult coaching situation on her daughter's soccer team.  For women building careers, parents raising athletes, and anyone looking to understand how lessons learned through sports can translate into leadership and success, this episode is for you.  TOPICS COVERED: Athlete Mindset, Competitive Drive, Princeton Crew, C-Suite Leadership, Working Motherhood, Athlete Parenting, Communication, Youth Sports, Coaching Challenges, Home Depot, Delta Air Lines, Turner, WarnerMedia MOLLY ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-battin-9476019/THE ATHLETE EFFECT™: instagram.com/the_athlete_effect tiktok.com/@theathleteeffect www.youtube.com/@TheAthleteEffect  BONNIE BERNSTEIN: instagram.com/BonnieBernstein  https://www.tiktok.com/discover/bonnie-bernstein     twitter.com/BonnieBernstein     https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-bernstein/

    Home Depot CMO Molly Battin: Multisport Athlete. Multiple C-Suite Roles

  5. Sep 8

    Kim Ng: MLB's First Female GM Is Building Pro Softball's Future

    Athletes Unlimited Softball Commissioner Kim Ng learned everything she needed to become a trailblazing sports executive in two places: The softball diamond and the tennis court. A 4-year starting infielder for the University of Chicago, Kim graduated with a master's degree in dedication, grit, perseverance and the willingness to fail, DESPITE a fear of failure. (Say that last part out loud, and sit with it for a moment.) Perseverance? Critical, as Kim made history as Major League Baseball's first female general manager. Grit? Essential, when she left her dream job as the Miami Marlins' GM, because the fit was no longer right. In this candid conversation, Kim discusses what it took to stand her ground as often the only woman in the room, how she battled an identity crisis during a critical chapter in her career (and won), and her resilience after a gut-wrenching decision that, ultimately, led her back to her softball roots, where Kim is now paving a powerful future for the AUSL. If anyone's ever made you feel like you don't belong. If you've ever questioned whether your dream is worth the fight. This episode is for you.                      _________________________________________________                          ***FOLLOW @THE_ATHLETE_EFFECT ON INSTAGRAM                             TO ENTER OUR UPCOMING AUSL VIP SWEEPSTAKES                                                            Grand prize:               ► Two (2) tickets to an AUSL 2027 regular season game of your choice                                             ► On-field access for batting practice                               ►AUSL swag bag with autographed Kim Ng softball                     ___________________________________________________ TOPICS COVERED: Kim Ng, Athletes Unlimited Softball League, AUSL, professional softball, growth of softball, women's sports, investment in women's sports, MLB, first female GM, Miami Marlins, Yankees, Dodgers, White Sox, leadership, coachability, resilience, courage, grit, reflection, fear of failure, trusting your voice, breaking barriers, imposter syndrome, Joe Torre, Derek Jeter, Title IX, Women's Sports Foundation, University of Chicago. AUSL LEAGUE SITE & HANDLES:  ► AUSL Site: https://theausl.com/ ► Instagram: @theauslofficial ► X (Twitter): @theAUSLofficial  BONNIE BERNSTEIN SOCIALS: ► Instagram: https://instagram.com/BonnieBernstein ► X: https://x.com/BonnieBernstein ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-bernstein THE ATHLETE EFFECT™ SOCIALS:  ► Instagram: https://instagram.com/the_athlete_effect ► TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@TheAthleteEffect ► Subscribe on YouTube:  https://youtube.com/@TheAthleteEffect/?sub_confirmation=1

    Kim Ng: MLB's First Female GM Is Building Pro Softball's Future

  6. Sep 1

    Kit Hoover: From UNC Track to ESPN & Access Hollywood - Going the Distance

    Kit Hoover doesn’t sugarcoat it: she was in way over her head at ESPN. First time doing live TV. First time reading a teleprompter. All while navigating postpartum depression with two young daughters. The UNC track and cross-country athlete reveals how the sports mindset she mastered on the course helped her find her stride and thrive in broadcasting. In this candid conversation with Bonnie Bernstein, Kit opens up about the “coachability” that has been a throughline in her career, from MTV’s Road Rules and Fox News to ESPN’s Cold Pizza  and 16 years hosting Access Hollywood. She also gets vulnerable about motherhood, career pivots, loss, grief and change—and the male champions who've empowered her along the way. As Kit turns the page on her career and becomes an empty nester, running has taken on a greater purpose. For athletes dreaming of broadcasting, parents stuck on the work-life hamster wheel, or anyone contemplating a pivot, Kit’s story offers hard-earned wisdom on fearlessness and a road map for moving forward when life makes an unexpected turn.  Topics Covered: Access Hollywood, MTV Road Rules, ESPN, reality TV, grief, failure, community, resilience, fearlessness, discipline, pivot, Live Like Braun Foundation, raising good humans, teamwork, and reinvention. Show Notes and Kit Hoover Socials:  https://www.instagram.com/kithoover/?hl=enhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kit-hoover-0a5a90302/https://www.tiktok.com/@kithooverhttps://x.com/KitHoover?lang=enTo Learn More about the Live Like Braun Foundation:  https://livelikebraunfoundation.org/The Athlete Effect™: instagram.com/the_athlete_effect tiktok.com/@theathleteeffect www.youtube.com/@TheAthleteEffect  Bonnie Bernstein: instagram.com/BonnieBernsteinhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-bernstein/https://www.tiktok.com/discover/bonnie-bernstein     twitter.com/BonnieBernstein

    Kit Hoover: From UNC Track to ESPN & Access Hollywood - Going the Distance

  7. Aug 18

    From Walk-On to Commissioner: Jacqie McWilliams Parker's College Sports Legacy

    She walked onto two teams at Hampton University and nearly got kicked off one of ’em for bad grades. Could anyone have predicted then that Jacqie McWilliams Parker would one day become the first Black woman to lead an NCAA athletic conference, in any division? Probably not. That’s how stories become fairy tales. Since 2012, “The Commish” has led the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the nation’s oldest conference for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). In this candid conversation, Jacqie shares how the confidence she developed through basketball and volleyball helped her squash the self-doubt that crept in early in her tenure. Jacqie reflects on the instability of growing up as a military kid and the sense of belonging she found on the court when she struggled to feel comfortable off it. She offers candid advice to high school athletes pursuing the next level and opens up about the deeper work of learning to love the person she sees in the mirror. In one of the most emotional moments of the conversation, Jacqie shares her journey to “locking” her hair, the boundary she drew when others challenged that choice, and the strength she found on the other side. This episode may change how you see leadership, confidence, legacy, and what it really means to earn your power. Topics covered: Jacqie McWilliams Parker, CIAA Commissioner, HBCU, D1, D2, D3, leadership, relationships, conflict management, being a good teammate, spirituality, transitions, confidence, letting go, vunerability, compassion, the joy and innocence of sport. Show Notes and Socials:  CIAA:  https://theciaa.com/ Insta - https://www.instagram.com/ciaasports/?hl=en Jacquie McWilliams-Parker: Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqie-mcwilliams-parker-7ab5551/ Insta -  https://www.instagram.com/ciaacommish/?hl=en The Athlete Effect™: instagram.com/the_athlete_effect tiktok.com/@theathleteeffect www.youtube.com/@TheAthleteEffect  Bonnie Bernstein: instagram.com/BonnieBernstein  https://www.tiktok.com/discover/bonnie-bernstein     twitter.com/BonnieBernstein     https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-bernstein/

    From Walk-On to Commissioner: Jacqie McWilliams Parker's College Sports Legacy

  8. Aug 11

    Kristyn Cook: From Syracuse Basketball to State Farm CMO

    Slumps happen. Keep shooting. A lesson State Farm CMO Kristyn Cook learned from her high school basketball coach and one she’s carried with her from her days as a Syracuse hoops player throughout her 25+ year career in the insurance industry. In this episode, Kristyn joins Bonnie to talk about a pivotal decision she faced when her family moved during her sophomore year of high school and how that moment shaped the way she approaches life, sports and career. A Big East Scholar-Athlete of the Year, senior captain and member of Cuse’s 1995-96 Big East Co-Championship team, she also speaks candidly about balancing academics and athletics at a major university and the role her parents played in empowering her and her two sisters to pursue college sports. Kristyn has been a State Farm “lifer,” but her career hasn’t been without its slumps. She shares how her athlete mindset helped her navigate challenges early in her career as an insurance agent, giving her the confidence and moxie to take on new roles and responsibilities along the way. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, sports parent or young professional, Kristyn’s story is a powerful reminder that the mindset you build through sports can serve you long after the final buzzer. Topics covered: Kristyn Cook CMO State Farm, Syracuse basketball, betting on yourself, women's team sports leadership, NIL, vulnerability in leadership, personal branding, authenticity, perseverance. Show Notes and Socials:  Drive by Daniel K Pink - Leadership Book   https://www.danpink.com/books/drive/Kristyn Cook:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristyncookturner/The Athlete Effect™: instagram.com/the_athlete_effect tiktok.com/@theathleteeffect www.youtube.com/@TheAthleteEffect  Bonnie Bernstein: instagram.com/BonnieBernstein  https://www.tiktok.com/discover/bonnie-bernstein     twitter.com/BonnieBernstein     https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-bernstein/

    Kristyn Cook: From Syracuse Basketball to State Farm CMO
See All (21)

Ratings & Reviews

3
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Once an athlete, always an athlete! Did you know 94% of female C-suite executives played sports? The Athlete Effect™ explores how life skills mastered as an athlete can fuel success long after the final whistle (see: teamwork, discipline, resilience, confidence). Hosted by Emmy-winning sports journalist and former Division I gymnast Bonnie Bernstein, the show features athletes-turned-leaders across business, sports, media, medicine, entertainment, and tech. Guests include: WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert; Olympic gymnast and entrepreneur/investor Dominique Dawes;  ABC News Chief Meteorologist Ginger Zee; Olympic softball player and ESPN analyst Jess Mendoza; Access Hollywood host Kit Hoover;  State Farm CMO Kristyn Cook; Home Depot CMO Molly Battin; neurosurgeon pioneer Dr. Theresa Williamson; and Vernice “Fly Girl” Armour, the US Military's first Black female combat pilot. The Athlete Effect™ features full conversations from "Power Players" on The Champion’s Edge on ABC, as well as podcast exclusive guests. Download and follow The Athlete Effect™ for more. 

Information

  • Creator
    Bonnie Bernstein
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Athlete Effect™
  • Show Website
    The Athlete Effect™

You Might Also Like